Táin March gets underway next week

This year’s Táin March gets underway this day next week on Thursday June 5^th and runs until Sunday June 8^th.

The march wil take place from Ardee to Cooley and all are invited to get involved.

The proceedings will commence at 6pm on Thursday with the gathering of Maeve’s army at Ardee. There will be street fun and food served as the event is launched in Ardee Castle with a talk on the Táin epic.

The march then gets underway from Ardee the next day at 10am, arriving in Tallanstown at 12.30pm. There there will be a briefing at important locations relating to the Táin by Prof Paul Gosling.

At 1pm the march will depart Tallanstown towards Louth Village, arriving at Stephenstown Pond at 4.30pm for a re-enactment of events from the Táin.

Then at 7.30pm there will be a fascinating talk by archaeologist Professor Paul Gosling, entitled ‘Táin Bó Cúailgne & the Fords of the River Fane’. It will be followed by light refreshments and social interaction by the camp fire.

The march will then depart Knockbridge on Saturday morning at 10am towards Dundalk, stopping at Cúchulainn’s Stone at 10.30am for an information talk by Prof Gosling, who will also give a talk at Cúchulainn’s Castle at 1.30pm.

At 2pm the group will march through Dundalk town, holding a compelling re-enactment of warrior battle at the Market Square with live music by Glasheen at 2.30pm.

The army will then depart Dundalk towards the Navvy Bank at 3.30pm before sailing across Dundalk Bay, where they will enter Bellurgan Park and Tipping’s Wood at 5.30pm.

Refreshments for the army will be served soon after at the Lumper’s Bar in Ravensdale.

On Sunday the army will depart Ravensdale at 10am, gathering at Glenmore before commencing their march over the Cooley Mountains at 1.45pm. They will then descend into the village of Carlingford at 3.45pm where a re-enactment will be held at 4pm, followed by a welcome feast soon after.

For further details call Tim Mullins on 086-8184952 or Sinead Roche in Dundalk Tourist Office at 087-2463866.

Further details are also available at www.tainmarch.net

St Patrick’s announce plans for Good Friday Way of the Cross

St Patrick’s Church in Dundalk

St Patrick’s Parish, Dundalk is planning a live re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus on the streets of Dundalk this Good Friday, 18th April. The Stations of the Cross will begin at St Patrick’s at 6.30pm.

The celebration of the Stations of the Cross on the streets of Dundalk began over 25 years ago when residents of St Nicholas’ Avenue formed a group to organise this annual commemoration. Good Friday is central to Christian belief as as it is the day on which Jesus showed His love for all by dying on the Cross. Christians commemorate this day by celebrating the Lord’s Passion at 3pm in churches.

A statement from the parish said: “In recent years, however, we have seen changes in work practices on this day and so, to make these ceremonies more accessible to parishioners, extra devotions have been added in the evening. To this end we invite all parishioners from Dundalk and surrounding areas to join us for the Stations of the Cross through the streets of our town on Good Friday at 6.30pm.

“The Stations of the Cross will be re-enacted by parishioners beginning with Pilate condemning Jesus on the steps of St Patrick’s Church, Roden Place before continuing through Clanbrassil Street and ending with the Burial of Jesus in the Garden of St Nicholas’ Church, Bridge Street.

“We invite all who would like to contribute their talents to this venture to contact the Parochial House, Roden Place. We would like also to invite pupils from all of the schools in Dundalk to attend dressed in costumes from the time of Jesus. A special invitation is extended to all parishioners from Dundalk and surrounding areas as well as Prayer Groups, Church Ministries and Organisations to join us for this special occasion.”